Few Changes Make Sweater Fit For All
Popular catalogs and chain stores feature everything from shirts to jeans fashioned for both men and women. There is no doubt that unisex dressing is in style.
When choosing sweater patterns such as the one we feature here, think about making them for either sex. You’ll have to consider a few things, though, when selecting and making unisex styles. We’d like to explore some of those possibilities.
Style choices: Classic sweaters work well for either a man or a woman. Begin with simple cables and textured-stitch styles. The easiest armholes to work with are those with drop shoulder or cut-in shaping; alterations to set-in sleeve designs can be a little more complicated. Avoid styles with frills, lacy stitches, Peter Pan collars and other obvious feminine or, for that matter, masculine touches.
Color selections: Neutral colors work well in unisex styling. The color range worn by women is wider than that worn by men. In choosing colors for a man, stay away from the obvious pinks and fuchsias unless they are accented with other colors.
Color is very personal, so our best advice is to choose colors that are suitable for the person wearing the sweater. Also remember that sometimes color choice has a lot to do with the season and the climate where the person lives.
Shortening: Men’s sweaters are often proportionally shorter than women’s sweaters. If you are unsure of an appropriate length, measure a favorite sweater. Lay it flat and measure from the shoulder to the lower edge. Divide the sweater length into three parts: ribbing, body to underarm, and armhole length. If the design is a simple repeating pattern, you can shorten or lengthen in any area you choose, although it is ideal to make adjustments before the underarm, keeping the armhole depth consistent. This way you won’t have to change the width of the sleeve top.
If the sweater has a pattern that is worked from a chart or another length-dependent design, you may have to be more creative about adding or subtracting length. Make a thumbnail sketch of the body pieces and jot down the new measurements. We’d suggest keeping the pattern’s neck depth unless it is extremely deep or shallow. It will make the process much easier.
To get you started, we offer a wonderful new unisex sweater knit from an exquisite blend of alpaca, wool and acrylic yarn in a worsted weight. The plaited cable and the chain cable form an intriguing pattern on the front, back and sleeves of this classic crew-neck design. Both men and women will be able to wear this sweater, which has chest measurements of 42, 44, 46 or 50 inches. Size 8 needles are recommended.
MEMO: To obtain directions for making the Unisex Alpaca Sweater, send your request for Leaflet No. 021896 with $2 and a long, stamped, self-addressed envelope to: The NeedleWorks, The Spokesman-Review, P.O. Box 419148, Kansas City, MO 64141. Or you may order Kit No. 021896 by sending a check or money order for $42.95 to The NeedleWorks at the same address. Kit price includes shipping charges, full instructions and a worsted-weight yarn in a blend of alpaca, wool and acrylic in your choice of off-white or silver gray. For kit orders only, you may call 7 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays to (800) 873-9537.